Rocky Parrish, a former sports TV and radio host, is set to open another store location for his apparel line called RockDeep/ RDevine. This time, it will be in his hometown in southern Maryland, making him just the second Black-owned retailer in the area!
The store, which will feature his "dual concept" athletic and casual footwear, will be at National Harbor Waterfront in PG County. Parrish, who graduated from Oxon Hill High School in 1990, is glad to be back in his hometown to launch the store.
"It's important for me to bring this store to my old neighborhood," Parrish told the AFRO. "It adds a little something to be in Oxon Hill even though its called Waterfront National Harbor these days."
The store won't include any popular, fancy brands in their array of designs but instead, it would highlight the athletic yet fashionable style of Parrish's own sneaker brand. Parrish said the items would not be overpriced but would still be excellent in quality and functionality. He hopes that formula would click with tourists and local residents as well.
"How am I going to charge somebody a hundred dollars for a pair of shoes when I couldn’t afford 100 shoes when I was growing up," Parris said. "Our goal is to provide functional styles that are high quality so everybody can afford them."
The new store location is an addition to RockDeep/RDevine two other Virginia locations which opened just last February and early May. Parrish also hopes to open another store in D.C. before the year ends.
Moreover, Parrish stated that he will make it a point that his business would never be sold to any large company. He aims to make an impact in his community, allowing others to buy into the RockDeep/RDevine franchise and helping others what he earned from his business.
"I want to do what [Robert Smith] did for the students at Morehouse, that's what drives me," Parrish said. "The more consumers support us the more we can do for the community."
For more information about RockDeep/RDevine or to order online, visit www.rockdeep.com